Yes, Long Beach is generally safe—but safety can vary by neighborhood and time of day.
Walk through Belmont Shore, and you’ll see clean streets, friendly faces, beach bikes, and brunch spots. You’ll think, Yes, this is safe.
But walk alone at night in certain parts of Downtown, and you might clutch your bag a little tighter.
If you plan to visit or relocate to Long Beach this summer, this blog will help you explore the city’s safer side!
We’ve analyzed data from the Long Beach Police Department, FBI reports, and residents’ insights. Our research highlights crime trends, neighborhood safety, and what they mean for locals, tourists, and business owners alike.
While the city faces specific crime-related challenges, many neighborhoods remain safe and welcoming. First, let’s look at the crime data!
Long Beach property crime statistics in 2024:
Robbery stats in Long Beach 2024:
| Commercial Burglaries | ↑ 55.6% citywide |
| Robberies (citywide) | ↑ 18.5%, highest since 2017 |
Property crime is surging in Long Beach, with commercial burglaries up 55.6% citywide.
Robberies have also climbed 18.5%, marking the highest level since 2017. These trends point to growing pressure on public safety and local law enforcement.
Property crimes:
If you run a business in Downtown Long Beach, you can’t afford to ignore this.
In 2024, commercial burglaries citywide jumped by 55.6%. But in the South Division, which includes Downtown, the increase is 74.5%. Rising from 141 cases in 2023 to 246 in 2024. That’s not just a spike. That’s a trend.
And it doesn’t stop there, robberies across the city increased 18.5%, breaking past 1,100 cases for the first time since 2017.
What does this mean for you? More risk, disruption, and reason to rethink your security strategy now, not later.
Crime statistics for Long Beach 2023 vs 2024:
When analyzing safety in Long Beach, the data tells a story of contradictions: improvement in some areas, rising concerns in others.
In 2025, Long Beach’s crime statistics show:
Homicide stats, Long Beach 2024:
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | Change / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Homicides | 26 | 38 | Highest since 2021 |
| – East Division Homicides | 2 | 11 | Major spike |
| – North Division Homicides | 6 | 12 | Doubled |
| Gunfire Reports (Jan–Apr) | 105 | 114 | ↑ 8.6% |
| Murders (Jan–Apr) | 6 | 11 | Almost doubled |
In 2023, there were 26 homicides in Long Beach. In 2024, there were 38. That’s not a small jump,it’s the highest in three years.
In the East Division, the number of murders didn’t just rise. It exploded from 2 to 11. In the North, they doubled.
Gunfire reports from January to April ticked up too: 105 to 114. Not massive, but steady. What’s not steady? Murders in that same stretch nearly doubled, from 6 to 11.
A city under pressure. A trend that’s hard to ignore.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Violent Crime Change | -0.24% |
| Aggravated Assaults | -244 |
| Aggravated Assault Percent Change | -10.53% |
But the good news is that half way through 2025 and the city’s overall violent crime rate has slightly decreased by 0.24%, suggesting a degree of control or stability.
On the other hand, aggravated assaults fell significantly by 10.53%, indicating progress in addressing specific forms of interpersonal violence.
Now let’s find out the hotspots in and around Long Beach:
Long Beach crime map:
Lighter shades mark relative safety zones where locals and tourists can move more confidently. The darker regions highlight neighborhoods with a higher frequency of reported incidents.
Notably, the northern and southern edges of Long Beach reflect increased vulnerability. These are the pockets where crime tends to concentrate.
In contrast, the eastern and western corridors present a different narrative. Better-lit streets, more stable foot traffic, and stronger security presence make these areas more inviting for day-to-day life and exploration.
Safety isn’t just a location, it’s a pattern. And patterns, once understood, can be navigated wisely.
Top 5 safest neighborhoods in Long Beach (2025):
- The Plaza: Located in East Long Beach, The Plaza boasts a low crime rate, with a projected cost of crime at approximately $380 per resident in 2025. This figure is significantly lower than the city and national averages, indicating a relatively safe environment for residents.
- University Park Estates: Adjacent to California State University, Long Beach, this neighborhood is known for its quiet streets and community-oriented atmosphere.
- Lakewood Village: Offering a mix of architectural styles and highly rated schools, Lakewood Village is recognized for its safety and family-friendly environment. The neighborhood’s design and community engagement contribute to its low crime rates.
- Los Altos: In East Long Beach, Los Altos is safer than 67% of Long Beach neighborhoods. Its residential character and active community participation play roles in maintaining its safety.
- Belmont Shore: This coastal neighborhood combines beachside living with safety, making it a desirable location for residents seeking both leisure and security. Its active neighborhood associations contribute to its well-maintained and safe environment.
Is Long Beach safe for tourists?
Ask the locals, and you’ll hear mixed answers. Some say the city has changed—more homelessness, more caution, less of that laid-back ease it once had.
Others push back:
“I’ve lived here for years. I walk every night. Just stay aware, stay smart, and you’ll be fine.”
Theresa Boretzky remembers the friendly, beach-town vibe that stuck with her long after moving away. She misses it.
Sure, Long Beach isn’t perfect. Downtown, in particular, can feel less safe to some. Certain areas need more attention. But then there are voices like Mike King’s:
“People here are very friendly. They always try to help.”
Because Long Beach isn’t just one place—it’s a patchwork of neighborhoods. And like any big city, safety depends on where you are, when you’re there, and how aware you stay.
Is Long Beach safe for residents?
Ask Colleen Courtis, who spent 35 years there, raising a family, building a business, and watching the city grow. “I love Long Beach so much,” she says, remembering when downtown was rough in the 60s, but also how it bloomed into “a thriving, redeveloped, beautiful, coastal destination.”
Then there’s Teresa Weber, born and raised in Long Beach, still living there. “Now I’m growing old here,” she says. She talks about the parks, the dog runs, the marinas, the aquarium, the schools, and the strong sense of community that’s coming back.
Steve Gifford remembers his beachside apartment—spacious, sunlit, and affordable (at least back then). He says his money went farther in Long Beach than in L.A., and he still misses the food, the space, the vibe.
They all say different things. But whether you’re a kid in a summer program, a student at CSULB, or a retiree riding your bike by the marina, it’s a place that gives back.
Is Long Beach a safe bet for business?
Mayor Rex Richardson says Long Beach is more than safe—just ask locals like Johnny Chhom, who turned his kitchen dream into a juice shop with help from the Level Up Long Beach program.
The city’s backing small businesses with millions in loans and grants, but it’s also backing their safety. Through the Visual Improvement Program (VIP), Long Beach offers up to $1,500 to small businesses hit by crime or vandalism, not just to repair, but to rebound.
Security isn’t just a reaction here, the city works with Business Improvement Districts, installs strategic surveillance, and partners with the Long Beach Police Department’s Commercial Corridor Teams to keep small businesses protected.
And with major events like the Grand Prix, Long Beach Pride, and the upcoming 2028 Olympics, safety coordination has become part of citywide planning from traffic control to crowd security.
How to stay safer in Long Beach in 2025?
Cities like Los Angeles, Oakland, and Phoenix also faced similar commercial theft surges, forcing businesses to rethink how they protect their assets.
Many have turned to live Video Monitoring as a more innovative, scalable alternative to costly on-site guards because:
By learning from cities like San Francisco and Houston, where businesses proactively adapt to crime trends, you can stay one step ahead, saving time, reducing loss, and maintaining operational peace of mind.
Start by evaluating your risk zones. Are you covered during off-hours? Do you have real-time visibility across locations?
Frequently asked questions:
Is Long Beach a safe area?
Long Beach has higher crime rates than the national average, with violent crimes 48% above average and property crimes 33% higher. Motor vehicle theft is a notable issue, with a 1 in 118 chance per resident.
Is it safe to walk in Long Beach at night?
Some areas are well-trafficked and safer at night, but caution is advised, especially near low-lit restrooms and regions on the beach.
Is Long Beach, CA, safe for families?
Yes, Long Beach has family-friendly neighborhoods, but overall safety varies. Some areas have higher crime rates, so research and local insight are key when choosing where to live.
Conclusion:
When property crimes rise and violent incidents surge, a fast, informed response isn’t optional, it’s a business and community imperative.
In 2024, Long Beach faced a turning point: homicides jumped 46%, and commercial burglaries rose 55.6% citywide, with the South Division alone seeing a staggering 74.5% spike.
But instead of standing still, in 2025, use these stats as a signal to audit your local security footprint. What would happen if you faced the same spike tomorrow?
Contact us today for a customized security solution for your business.
